I've been getting to grips with the vital role of community pharmacies on a recent visit to Pharmacy One in Heald Green.

I was welcomed by pharmacist and owner Vimal Mistry and Bruce Prentice, committee member of Greater Manchester Local Pharmaceutical Committee (GMLPC). The visit gave me an opportunity to see how healthcare is developing across Greater Manchester, and the dedication and drive which ensure that small independent community pharmacies continue to thrive on the high street.

The new Community Pharmacy Contract provides funding for a Community Pharmacist Consultation Service, which will see participating pharmacies receive a fee for each consultation. Funding for this service will also increase by £15 million over the next four years.

I saw Pharmacy One’s new consultation room and was really pleased to hear how the new contract will help services expand, all while taking pressure off GPs. This all fits into the ‘pharmacy first’ protocol, ensuring that people can easily access advice and treatment from the best place.

Local services have been expanded in recent years to include healthy living advice, vaccination services, and being able to provide patients with emergency supplies of medicines.

Vimal said: “Pharmacies can do a lot more and can take pressure off GPs and other parts of the health service. Given the choice, most people would much rather go to their local pharmacy than a hospital. That’s why I’m confident that community pharmacies like us can help improve our health care system".

Bruce said: “Mary really saw the real potential for using our community pharmacy network to help bring about enhancements in primary care services in Greater Manchester so that we play a full and expanding role in delivering health care.”